Troy Murphy
6-11
250
Collecting double-digit rebounds for the fourth time this season, he had a game-high tying 12 to accompany seven points, three assists and no turnovers in 25 minutes vs. L.A., 11/20.

Power Forward

Jermaine O'Neal
6-11
255
Shooting just 4-13 from the floor, he scored 14 points with three rebounds and two assists in 27 minutes against the Lakers, 11/20. All three of his boards came at the offensive end.

Small Forward

Danny Granger
6-9
228
He connected on 6-11 FGS, 1-3 3-pt FGS and 4-4 FTS for his starters-high 17 points vs. the Lakers, 11/20. He added six rebounds, three assists and a blocked shot in 29 minutes.

Shooting Guard

Mike Dunleavy
6-9
230
On 1-5 FGS and 4-5 FTS, he had just six points with five assists and a rebound in 22 minutes vs. the Lakers, 11/20. Six points are his fewest this season.

Point Guard

Jamaal Tinsley
6-3
185
Handing out 10+ assists for the fourth time this season, he notched his second double-double with a game-high 10 assists, 10 points and two rebounds in 34 minutes against the Lakers, 11/20.

New Orleans' Starting Lineup

Center

TYSON CHANDLER
7-1
245
2007-08 AVERAGES: 10.8 ppg, 11.3 rpg, 1.5 apg, 1.3 bpg, 31.9 mpg
Note: Six double-doubles on the year…has scored in double-digits in four out of the last
five games…ranks ninth in the NBA in rebounding.

One of the biggest games of the year for you catz; New Orleans v. Indiana. Make sure you don't give too much love to the Hornets or Miller Time's gonna be on your ass haha.

catzhernandez

11-21-2007 04:55 PM

Re: Hornets@Pacers Game Thread

oh, im not... the pacers are gonna get a BIG win on the road tonight, 115-101

catzhernandez

11-22-2007 12:56 AM

Re: Hornets@Pacers Game Thread

Coming off their worst defensive performance in years and without their best defensive player, the Pacers nevertheless managed to shut down one of the hottest teams in the league.
Holding the Hornets to 38 points on 39 percent shooting in the second half, the Pacers compensated for the loss of Jermaine O'Neal with a wide variety of exceptional performances to win 105-93 Wednesday night in New Orleans.

The Pacers (5-7) bounced back nicely from a 134-114 home loss to the Lakers Tuesday night by handing the Hornets (9-4) their third loss in six home games.

"We've played a lot of practices without Jermaine and we have pretty good depth at the big positions," said Pacers Coach Jim O'Brien. "Our guys knew what they had to do."

O'Neal sat out the game due to swelling in his left knee and O'Brien indicated the absence might be enforced until the franchise forward can get back to full strength, conditioning and productivity.

"We have to do something about getting his situation rectified," said O'Brien. "It's very frustrating for Jermaine. … We need him at full strength to be a good basketball team."

Either from discomfort in the left knee or a lack of conditioning from lost practice time, O'Neal has been obviously laboring, posting averages of 13.2 points, 7.1 rebounds, 1.4 blocked shots and .388 field-goal shooting in his 10 appearances.

The scoring slack was picked up by Troy Murphy, who produced a season-high 23 points to go with nine rebounds, three assists and a blocked shot. Murphy missed his first five shots but went 7-of-11 thereafter. Danny Granger was impressive in the first regular-season game in his hometown, scoring 22 points on 9-of-17 shooting and pulling nine rebounds. Mike Dunleavy scored 14 of his 18 in the second half, adding seven rebounds and four assists.

The conductor was Jamaal Tinsley, who played a masterful game with 18 points, 13 assists – against just two turnovers – and two steals. He dominated his matchup with New Orleans star Chris Paul, who managed eight points on 3-of-12 shooting and 10 assists.

"I'm just going out and playing basketball," Tinsley said. "Jim O'Brien has given me a lot of freedom and I'm just trying to be creative and get guys open shots. I'm getting in the lane and guys are knocking down their shots. It's just good team basketball."

David West scored 23 to lead the Hornets. Peja Stojakovic scored 17 but did not make a field goal in the second half. Melvin Ely had 11 points and 11 rebounds off the bench. New Orleans was also shorthanded, playing without center Tyson Chandler, out with a hyperextended knee.

The Pacers took control in the third period, opening with a 13-2 run buoyed by a pair of Granger 3-pointers to take a 67-57 lead. After the Hornets chipped it back to 71-66, Dunleavy hit a pair of 3-pointers and scored 10 in an 11-3 run that extend the margin to 82-69.

Five Pacers scored in a 12-2 run early in the fourth quarter that made it 94-77 and the Hornets would offer no further threat.

What do you guys think is the biggest hole on the Pacers, because come draft day, they will have to select a player in the first round. I think I had them taking Roy Hibbert in my mock, but I was like what position do the Pacers even need? Almost gave them Budinger, but they've already got Dunleavy. Thoughts?